Operation Powderhorn

Operation Powderhorn (2007) was a military operation undertaken by the US Marine Corps during the Iraq War in 2007 against the Iraqi insurgents in the city of Karbala. The insurgents put up stiff resistance to the US forces, but the Americans emerged victorious.

History
The Islamic State of Iraq rose up in the city of Karbala in 2007 after a series of carbombings and attacks on MNF-I soldiers in the city. In reaction to the ISI's growth in the city, the US Marine Corps set out to recapture the city from the insurgents. The Americans entered a city that was filled with damaged buildings, blown-up cars, and desolate neighborhoods from which civilians fled. The insurgents engaged the Americans along a main street in the city, with the Americans having sniping positions in a building, firing on Iraqi insurgents that took cover behind a wall. The Iraqis were resolute in the defense of their city, and the "Devil of Karbala" killed two American soldiers within seconds of each other. However, their defense was eventually defeated, as the Americans took over the city from the insurgents.